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Voice of America, 96-10-01Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY/PRIME MINISTER (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203944 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S ISLAMIC PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, IS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO EGYPT, LIBYA AND NIGERIA BEGINNING WEDNESDAY. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, MR. ERBAKAN'S ITINERARY HAS RAISED CONCERN AMONG TURKEY'S WESTERN ALLIES OVER THE COUNTRY'S FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES AND PROVOKED STRONG OPPOSITION FROM MEMBERS OF HIS JUNIOR COALITION PARTNER, THE CONSERVATIVE "TRUE PATH" PARTY. TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS ACKNOWLEDGED MONDAY THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH COUNTRIES INCLUDED ON THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S LIST OF STATES KNOWN TO SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. MR. BURN'S COMMENTS COINCIDE WITH MOUNTING OPPOSITION WITHIN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT ITSELF OVER MR. ERBAKAN'S DECISION TO VISIT LIBYA AND NIGERIA, AFTER GOING TO IRAN LAST MONTH ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL TRIP ABROAD. INTERIOR MINISTER, MEHMET AGAR, WHO IS A MEMBER OF FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE "TRUE PATH" PARTY, HAS REFUSED TO SIGN A GOVERNMENT DECREE AUTHORIZING THE TRIP. HE SAYS ANKARA HAS NOTHING TO GAIN FROM VISITING COUNTRIES WHICH, IN HIS WORDS, ARE ENEMIES OF TURKEY'S WESTERN ALLIES. BUT MR. ERBAKAN HAS DEFENDED THE TOUR, SAYING TURKEY HAS MUCH TO GAIN ECONOMICALLY FROM EXPANDING TIES WITH AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES. ANALYSTS SAY THE PRIME MINISTER'S ITINERARY IS AIMED AT APPEASING ISLAMIC HARDLINERS WHO FEEL BETRAYED BY HIS FAILURE TO KEEP HIS ELECTION PROMISES TO CHANGE TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY. THEY INCLUDED PLEDGES TO SCRAP A MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL AND TO ESTABLISH AN ISLAMIC COMMON MARKET. BUT PRO-SECULARISTS FEAR THAT MR. ERBAKAN'S TRIP IS MORE THAN JUST WINDOW DRESSING (OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE) AND SPELLS A REAL SHIFT IN TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY. THEY SAY THERE ARE WORRYING SIGNS DOMESTICALLY THAT UNDER MR. ERBAKAN, TURKEY'S SECULAR COURSE IS BEING ALTERED. PRO-SECULARISTS POINT TO THE OPENING OF AN ALL-WOMEN'S PARK IN
ANKARA, TO THE BANNING OF ALCOHOL IN ANOTHER ANKARA SUBURB AND TO
THE ENACTMENT OF RECENT LEGISLATION ALLOWING WOMEN LAWYERS
WEARING THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF TO NOW APPEAR IN COURT, AS EXAMPLES
OF CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE WELFARE PARTY CAME TO
POWER THREE MONTHS AGO. (SIGNED)
[02] AMNESTY TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203951 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE LONDON-BASED GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS RELEASED A REPORT ALLEGING SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ARE BEING COMMITTED IN TURKEY BY POLICE AND MILITARY PERSONNEL. AMNESTY ACCUSES THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT OF IGNORING CASES OF TORTURE, POLITICAL KILLINGS AND DISAPPEARANCES. AS -VO-A'S CHRISTINE FURNELL REPORTS FROM LONDON, THE GROUP IS CALLING ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESS TURKEY FOR URGENT REFORMS. TEXT: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT TURKEY ON THE PRETEXT OF GUARANTEEING STATE SECURITY. THE GROUP SAYS POLICE AND THE MILITARY SEEM TO ACT WITH IMPUNITY, TORTURING AND ILL-TREATING PEOPLE OFTEN DETAINED ON SUSPICION OF COMMON CRIMINAL OFFENSES. AMNESTY SAYS TURKEY'S ANTI-TERROR LAW IS BEING USED TO IMPRISON WRITERS, PUBLISHERS AND POLITICIANS WHO EXPRESS OPINIONS IN CONFLICT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. THE GROUP SAYS THIS LAW HAS ALSO BEEN USED TO IMPRISON THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS. AMNESTY DRAWS PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO RISING INCIDENTS OF SUMMARY EXECUTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES, NOT ONLY IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE COUNTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE KURDISH STRUGGLE, BUT IN ISTANBUL AND ANKARA, TOO. THE GROUP'S CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR ON TURKEY, BRIAN PHILLIPS, ACCUSES SUCCESSIVE TURKISH GOVERNMENTS OF TURNING A BLIND EYE TO (IGNORING) SUCH ABUSES BY THE SECURITY FORCES. /// PHILLIPS ACT ///FIVE YEARS AGO 'DISAPPEARANCES' AND POLITICAL KILLINGS WERE VIRTUALLY UNHEARD OF. NOW THESE VIOLATIONS ARE AT THE CENTER OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S RESEARCH AND CAMPAIGNING AGENDA ON TURKEY. IT IS NO SECRET THAT TORTURE IS WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT TURKEY. FOR DECADES THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO STOP PEOPLE IN POLICE CUSTODY FROM SUFFERING ELECTRIC SHOCKS, BEATINGS AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. HUNDREDS ARE BRUTALLY TREATED EVERY YEAR, AND WE BELIEVE THAT MORE THAN 90 HAVE DIED AS A DIRECT RESULT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. /// END ACT ///AMNESTY IS CALLING ON COUNTRIES SELLING ARMS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO TURKEY TO ENSURE THAT THESE SUPPLIES ARE NOT USED TO COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. AMNESTY SAYS IT HAS DOCUMENTED THE USE OF AMERICAN AND BRITISH MADE HELICOPTERS AND ARMORED CARS IN OPERATIONS BY SECURITY FORCES AGAINST KURDISH POPULATIONS. AT THE TOP OF A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS AMNESTY HIGHLIGHTS THE URGENT NEED FOR LEGAL REFORMS AND FOR THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO CASES OF REPORTED ILLEGAL EXECUTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES IN SECURITY FORCES' CUSTODY. THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN LONDON HAD NO COMMENT ON AMNESTY'S
FINDINGS. (SIGNED)
[03] EURO MINISTERS MIDEAST (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203959 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN LUXEMBOURG TUESDAY, EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS ISSUED THEIR MOST FORCEFUL STATEMENT TO DATE ON THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS THEY URGED ISRAEL TO TAKE A SERIES OF STEPS TOP REVIVE HOPES FOR PEACE. TEXT: THE RELEASE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION COINCIDES WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT, TO WHICH THE EUROPEANS HAVE NOT BEEN INVITED, DESPITE REQUESTS FOR SUCH AN INVITATION. THE 15 E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS SAY THEY ARE APPALLED BY THE RECENT VIOLENCE AND THE RESULTING CASUALTIES IN JERUSALEM AND THROUGHOUT THE WEST BANK AND THE GAZA STRIP. THEY CALL FOR BOTH SIDES TO ABIDE BY EXISTING AGREEMENTS AND TO EXERCISE THE UTMOST RESTRAINT, AND TO REFRAIN FROM ANY ACTIONS OR WORDS WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO FURTHER VIOLENCE. THE MINISTERS CALL FOR BOTH SIDES TO AVOID RESORTING TO DISPROPORTIONATE FORCE -- IN PARTICULAR THE USE OF FIREARMS, TANKS, AND HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS. THE REFERENCE TO TANKS AND HELICOPTERS WAS INTERPRETED BY OBSERVERS IN LUXEMBOURG AS A DIRECT CONDEMNATION OF ISRAEL, WHICH HAS USED BOTH IN THE RECENT DISTURBANCES. BUT BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, MALCOLM RIFKIND, DENIES EUROPE IS TAKING SIDES. /// RIFKIND ACT ///IT IS ENTIRELY EQUIDISTANT WITH REGARD TO NOT ATTRIBUTING BLAME. WE DO NOT SEEK TO CONDEMN OR TO BLAME ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER FOR WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. BUT WITH REGARD TO HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, WITH REGARD TO HOW WE CAN SEE IMPROVEMENT OVER THE NEXT PERIOD, THEN CLEARLY BECAUSE THE SINGLE UNDERLINING PROBLEM, WHICH EXPLAINS ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS, IS THE DETERIORATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND THE PALESTINIANS. AND BECAUSE THE MAIN FACTOR WHICH HAS LED TO THAT DETERIORATION IS A PERCEIVED LACK OF COMMITMENT BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TO THE PEACE PROCESS, AS SEEN FROM THE PALESTINIAN SIDE, THEN IN OUR JUDGMENT, THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY ON THE ISRAELIS, WHO HAVE SAID THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS, TO DEMONSTRATE THAT NOT SIMPLY BY RHETORIC BUT IN SUBSTANTIVE POLICY TERMS. ///END ACT///THE EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION INCLUDES A DEMAND THE ISRAELIS RESTORE TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE THE CONTROVERSIAL TUNNEL WHICH PASSES NEAR A MAJOR JERUSALEM MOSQUE AND THE OPENING OF WHICH SPARKED OFF THE RECENT CONFLICT. ISRAEL IS ALSO URGED TO SPEED-UP THE REDEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS, NOTABLY FROM HEBRON, AND TO RELEASE PALESTINIAN PRISONERS. THERE IS ALSO A CALL TO STOP RESTRICTIONS ON THE MOVEMENT OF
PEOPLE AND AID INTO PALESTINIAN TERRITORY; TO STOP ISRAELI
SETTLEMENTS IN DISPUTED TERRITORY; AND A PLEDGE OF AN ADDITIONAL
24-MILLION DOLLARS IN E-U AID TO THE PALESTINIANS. (SIGNED)
[04] EU/ CUBA (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203940* CONTENT= VOICED AT: // CORR: DELETE LAST TWO SENTENCE FROM 4TH GRAPH OF TEXT //INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION PLANS TO START INTERNATIONAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OVER A CONTROVERSIAL U-S LAW THAT PUNISHES FIRMS FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH CUBA. THE UNITED STATES IS BEING TAKEN BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION OVER WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE "HELMS-BURTON LAW." JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS' MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG. TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE DECIDED TO LAUNCH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. THE FORMAL FILING OF THE COMPLAINT WILL TAKE PLACE ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, ALTHOUGH THE FULL HEARING ON THE ISSUE IS UNLIKELY TO BE HELD UNTIL AFTER THE U-S ELECTIONS. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND SAYS THAT EUROPE HAS NO DISAGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER THE NEED TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN CUBA. BUT HE SAYS THE HELMS-BURTON LAW IS THE WRONG WAY TO GO ABOUT THINGS. MR. RIFKIND SAYS THIS IS AN HONEST DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN CLOSE FRIENDS. /// RIFKIND ACT ///IT IS NOT A DISAGREEMENT WITH THE U-S ADMINISTRATION. IT IS A DISAGREEMENT WITH THE U-S CONGRESS -- CONGRESS HAS PUSHED THE LEGISLATION. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION (IS) VERY UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT. THE PRESIDENT HAS ALREADY LIMITED THE EFFECTS OF HELMS-BURTON, BY DEFERRING ITS IMPLEMENTATION FOR SOME TIME. BUT IT IS NECESSARY FOR WESTERN EUROPE AND FOR OTHER COUNTRIES TO MAKE CLEAR TO CONGRESS THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE OF PRINCIPLE, AND ONE THAT WE CANNOT AGREE WITH THEIR VIEW ON. // END ACT //EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO AGREED TO PROCEED WITH LEGISLATION TO PROTECT EUROPEAN FIRMS. // REST OPT //THE EUROPEAN UNION IS ALSO PLANNING MEASURES AGAINST PARALLEL
AMERICAN LEGISLATION THAT PUNISHES FIRMS THAT DO BUSINESS WITH
IRAN AND LIBYA. (SIGNED).
[05] U-S-ARMENIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203977 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS JOINED EUROPEAN OBSERVERS IN POINTING OUT IRREGULARITIES IN ARMENIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: EUROPEAN OBSERVERS-ESPECIALLY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE--ARE REPORTING SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES IN ARMENIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE O-S-C-E SAYS PRESIDENT LEVON TER-PETEROSYAN'S VICTORY BY A SLIM MARGIN IN THE FIRST ROUND COULD BE IN SERIOUS DOUBT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO NOTED IRREGULARITIES IN ARMENIA'S VOTING AND VOTE COUNTING PROCESS. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATORS IN YEREVAN. ///BURNS ACT///WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DETAINED OR ARRESTED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT WERE PRODUCED BY THE ELECTIONS AND WE CALL UPON THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO OFFER AN ACCOUNTING OF WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE AND AS TO THEIR WELFARE. ///END ACT///MR. BURNS ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SOME DEMONSTRATORS HAVE
BEEN BEATEN BY ARMENIAN SECURITY FORCES. THE SPOKESMAN SAYS
THESE SENTIMENTS HAVE BEEN CONVEYED TO THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT BY
THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN YEREVAN. (SIGNED)
[06] BOSNIA'S REFUGEES (L) BY KAREN COLEMAN (SARAJEVO)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203956 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, OR U-N-H-C-R, HAS CONDEMNED A DECISION BY GERMANY TO FORCE THE REPATRIATION OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES -- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (EDS: TODAY, OCTOBER 1ST). THE U-N AGENCY SAYS THE MOVE COULD JEOPARDIZE THE FUTURE STABILITY OF BOSNIA, BUT IT HOPES GERMANY MAY ADOPT A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH BEING PROPOSED. MORE FROM SARAJEVO REPORTER KAREN COLEMAN. TEXT: GERMANY'S FEDERAL AND STATE INTERIOR MINISTERS AGREED IN SEPTEMBER TO BEGIN THE POSSIBLE PHASED RETURN OF REFUGEES FROM THE COUNTRY BACK TO BOSNIA, BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY. THE GERMAN MINISTERS SAID IN PRINCIPLE, ALL BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR REFUGEES WHO WERE GIVEN TEMPORARY PROTECTION IN GERMANY FROM THE DANGERS OF WAR MUST NOW LEAVE. BECAUSE THERE IS PEACE IN BOSNIA, THE GERMAN MINISTERS SAY, THEY ARE FINDING IT HARD TO JUSTIFY KEEPING WAR REFUGEES IN THEIR COUNTRY. SO FROM HERE ON, CERTAIN GERMAN STATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCE BOSNIAN REFUGEES TO LEAVE. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN MANS NYBERG CRITICIZED THE POSSIBLE FORCED REPATRIATION, SAYING IT WILL AFFECT FUTURE STABILITY IN BOSNIA. ///NYBERG ACT///AS THE MAJORITY OF THE REFUGEES IN GERMANY ARE MUSLIMS WHOSE HOMES ARE IN THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, WE URGE THE AUTHORITIES TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL FACTOR. LARGE SCALE COMPULSORY RELOCATIONS COULD INDEED JEOPARDIZE THE STABILITY OF THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. ///END ACT///GERMANY HAS MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA.
ACCORDING TO THE U-N-H-C-R, 60 PERCENT OF THEM COME FROM PLACES
NOW UNDER BOSNIAN SERB RULE. SO FAR NO ONE HAS BEEN FORCED TO
RETURN AND ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL. GERMANY ARGUES THAT THE
CIVILIAN RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA CANNOT SUCCEED WITHOUT ITS
PEOPLE, AND GERMANY IS KEEN TO ENCOURAGE THAT PROCESS. THE
U-N-H-C-R, THOUGH, WANTS THE REFUGEES TO WAIT UNTIL GUARANTEES
CAN BE GIVEN THAT THEY WILL BE RETURNING WITHOUT RISK. (SIGNED)
[07] YUGO WAR CRIMES-MUSLIMS (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203963 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS OPENED THE WAY FOR ITS FIRST JOINT TRIAL BY REJECTING A REQUEST FROM FOUR ACCUSED MEN WHO DEMANDED THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM BE HEARD SEPARATELY. T HE FOUR ARE CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATROCITIES AGAINST SERBS CARRIED OUT AT A PRISON CAMP IN BOSNIA. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. TEXT: THE FOUR MEN ACCUSED IN THE INDICTMENT -- THREE MUSLIMS AND A CROAT -- HAD ARGUED A JOINT TRIAL WOULD BE UNFAIR. IN THE TRIBUNAL'S FIRST INDICTMENT DEALING WITH ALLEGED BOSNIAN-SERB VICTIMS, THEY ARE ALL ACCUSED OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR MURDER AND TORTURE AT THE "CELEBICI" PRISON CAMP IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. THREE OF THE MEN ARE SAID TO HAVE HAD COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY AT THE CAMP, WHERE DETAINEES WERE ROUTINELY BEATEN AND WOMEN RAPED. ONE MAN IS CHARGED WITH DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN FIVE MURDERS. ANOTHER ONE IS ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN FOUR MURDERS. IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO DID THE ALLEGED KILLING AND THOSE WHO ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN WHICH CAUSED CONCERN FOR DEFENSE LAWYERS. BUT JUDGES AT THE TRIBUNAL SAID NONE OF THE MEN HAD SHOWN A FAIR TRIAL WOULD BE IN DOUBT IF ALL FOUR SAT TOGETHER IN THE DOCK. THE JUDGES SAID SEPARATE TRIALS WOULD BE REPETITIVE AND MEAN INCREASED SUFFERING FOR WITNESSES WHO WOULD BE HAVE TO TESTIFY MORE THAN ONCE. //REST OPT//THE TRIAL OF THE MEN CHARGED IN THE CELEBICI INDICTMENT IS NOT
EXPECTED TO BEGIN UNTIL NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)
[08] WAR CRIMES / PROSECUTOR (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203965 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE NEW CHIEF PROSECUTOR AT THE U-N YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS URGED INTERNATIONAL TROOPS IN BOSNIA BE GIVEN A STRONGER MANDATE TO ARREST SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS. FORMER CANADIAN APPEALS COURT JUDGE LOUISE ARBOUR -- WHO TOOK UP HER POST TUESDAY -- SAYS THERE IS A LACK OF INTERNATIONAL DETERMINATION TO MAKE ARRESTS. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE. TEXT: FORTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD LOUISE ARBOUR TAKES OVER THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR'S JOB AT A CRUCIAL AND DIFFICULT TIME FOR THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THREE YEARS AFTER IT WAS SET UP, IT HAS ISSUED MORE THAN 70 INDICTMENTS, BUT HAS ONLY SEVEN PEOPLE IN CUSTODY. SIXTY-SEVEN OTHERS -- INCLUDING FORMER BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY CHIEF RADKO MLADIC -- REMAIN FREE. THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA -- I-FOR -- HAS REFUSED TO ARREST WAR CRIMINALS. JUDGE ARBOUR SAYS THAT IS SOMETHING SHE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO CHANGE. // ARBOUR ACT //THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND IF IT HAD BEEN GIVEN THE MANDATE TO DO SO, IT WOULD HAVE COMPLIED AND WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A POLITICAL WILL TO GIVE THEM, IN NON-AMBIGUOUS TERMS, THAT SPECIFIC MANDATE TO PERFORM ARRESTS -- IF THE AUTHORITIES WHO SHOULD BE DOING SO ARE NOT COMPLYING. // END ACT //JUDGE ARBOUR WILL BE URGING ANY SUCCESSOR FORCE TO I-FOR BE GIVEN SUCH A MANDATE. SHE SAYS SHE WILL ALSO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE LACK OF INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE TRIBUNAL'S WORK. // 2ND ARBOUR ACT //I DO NOT THINK THERE HAS BEEN A MANIFESTATION OF A STRONG DETERMINATION ON THE PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ASSIST THE TRIBUNAL AT THIS CRUCIAL POINT OF ITS MANDATE IN PERFORMING ARRESTS. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT ONE HAS TO FEED INTO THE MORAL OUTRAGE THAT WAS VERY PRESENT WHEN THESE CRIMES WERE BEING COMMITTED AND WHICH FADES, OF COURSE, BECAUSE THE SENSE OF VICTIMIZATION OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATELY AFFECTED REGIONS FADES VERY MUCH WITH TIME. SO I THINK WE HAVE TO SUSTAIN THE INTEREST AND THE SENSE OF MORAL OUTRAGE AND THE NEED TO INTERVENE -- SO THAT THE WORLD'S PUBLIC OPINION REMAINS SUPPORTIVE AND PUTS PRESSURE ON POLITICIANS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE TRIBUNAL. // END ACT //JUSTICE ARBOUR HAD HARSH WORDS FOR STATES -- LIKE SERBIA AND
CROATIA -- WHICH HAVE REFUSED TO SURRENDER ANY OF THEIR NATIONALS
SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES. SHE SAYS THEIR DEFIANCE MUST BE
OVERCOME BY A POLICY COMBINING A CARROT AND STICK APPROACH.
(SIGNED)
[09] SENATE-BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203960 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// RE-PRINITNG WITH CORRECT CR-NUMBER. /////INTRO: FORMER U-S DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO MEDIATED THE BALKAN PEACE ACCORDS, SAYS THE WORLD COMMUNITY MUST KEEP A PRESENCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHEN THE CURRENT PEACE FORCE LEAVES. DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. TEXT: APPEARING ON CAPITOL HILL (TUESDAY), MR. HOLBROOKE ARGUED IT IS STILL TOO EARLY FOR THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES TO LEAVE THE SCENE. THE NATO PEACEKEEPING ARMY, I-FOR, IS DUE TO FINISH ITS MISSION BY THE END OF THE YEAR. BUT MR. HOLBROOKE WARNS A CONTINUING FORCE MUST STAY BEHIND. // HOLBROOKE ACT //I THINK IF YOU GO FROM 60-THOUSAND I-FOR TROOPS TO ZERO, RAPIDLY, THE SITUATION RISKS IMPLOSION AND WOULD DENY -- END UP RESULTING IN THE DENIAL OF ALL THE POSITIVE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR. THE WAR COULD EVEN RESUME IF THAT HAPPENED. // END ACT //U-S AND ALLIED OFFICIALS SUGGEST THEY FAVOR SENDING IN SOME TYPE OF REPLACEMENT FORCE, BUT SAY VARIOUS OPTIONS ARE UNDER STUDY AND NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS CHARGE PRESIDENT CLINTON IS COMMITTED TO A NEW DEPLOYMENT -- AND IS PUTTING OFF THE ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION FIVE-WEEKS FROM NOW. SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF IRANIANS, WHO THEY SAY THE WHITE HOUSE ALLOWED TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN THE BALKANS. MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF IRANIANS REMAIN. // HOLBROOKE ACT //DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DEFINE IT, IT IS MORE THAN ZERO AND IT IS IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS (LESS THAN 100) SOMEWHERE AT MOST, AND I DO NOT THINK IT CREATES A SERIOUS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO DO SO, BUT I DO NOT THINK IT DOES. // END ACT //MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THERE IS NO MORE DIFFICULT ISSUE THAN THE
PRESENCE OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN THE REGION. U-S OFFICIALS
SAY THEY HOPE TO BRING THEM TO JUSTICE AT THE INTERNATIONAL
TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE -- PERHAPS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
(SIGNED)
[10] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)DATE=10/1/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203978 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PENTAGON SAYS SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF U-S TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN BOSNIA AT LEAST UNTIL NEXT MARCH. SEVERAL THOUSAND MORE SOLDIERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE SENT THERE FROM GERMANY WITHIN A FEW DAYS WITH THE STATED MISSION OF COVERING THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE, I-FOR. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE SO-CALLED "COVERING FORCE" WILL BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS. AND THEY DO NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WILL BECOME THE U-S CONTRIBUTION TO A FOLLOW-ON PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA -- IF NATO DECIDES ONE IS NECESSARY. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S OFFICIAL POSITION UP UNTIL NOW HAD BEEN THAT U-S AND ALLIED FORCES WOULD BE STAYING ON IN BOSNIA ONLY A MATTER OF WEEKS AFTER THE OFFICIAL MANDATE OF I-FOR EXPIRES DECEMBER 20TH. BUT PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS MEMBERS OF THE COVERING FORCE WILL REMAIN THERE INTO MARCH: /// BACON ACTUALITY ///WE'LL BE SENDING ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND TROOPS INTO BOSNIA TO HELP THE CURRENT PEOPLE IN I-FOR COME OUT. THAT WHOLE PROCESS WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR. THE I-FOR PEOPLE WILL BE OUT. AND THE COVERING FORCE IS SCHEDULED TO DEPART SOMETIME IN MARCH. /// END ACT ///NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS HAVE BEGUN EXAMINING VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR A
SUCCESSOR SECURITY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA IN 1997 -- BUT FINAL
DECISIONS ON THE ISSUE ARE NOT EXPECTED UNTIL NOVEMBER. (SIGNED)
[11] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=9/30/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-203922 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS WELCOMED MONDAY'S FIRST MEETING OF THE NEWLY-ELECTION THREE-MEMBER PRESIDENCY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS ONE OF WHAT WASHINGTON HOPES WILL BECOME REGULAR SESSIONS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THAT, WHILE THE UNITED STATES WILL NOW FULLY SUPPORT A LIFTING OF FOUR-YEAR OLD SANCTIONS ON SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA, IT WILL MAINTAIN THE SO-CALLED OUTER WALL OF SANCTIONS ON BELGRADE: TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE MEETING IS ANOTHER STEP TOWARD THE CREATION OF BOSNIA'S JOINT POST-WAR INSTITUTIONS FOLLOWING THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTIONS. HE SAYS HE EXPECTS THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENCY -- MUSLIM ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, SERB MOMCILO KRAJISNIK AND CROAT KRESIMIR ZUBAK -- TO MEET REGULARLY TO DISCUSS BASIC GOVERNMENT POLICY SUCH AS PUBLIC SERVICES AND PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS. MR. BURNS SAYS SUNDAY'S ELECTION CERTIFICATION BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE WILL RESULT IN U-S SUPPORT FOR A LIFTING OF U-N SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON BELGRADE IN 1992, AN ACTION HE EXPECTS IN A MATTER OF DAYS: ///BURNS ACTUALITY///THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THIS BECAUSE THIS MEETS THE CRITERIA WE HELPED TO NEGOTIATE AT DAYTON (OHIO). ///END ACTUALITY///MR. BURNS DESCRIBES WASHINGTON RELATIONS WITH BELGRADE AS CONSTRUCTIVE WITH DISAGREEMENTS REMAINING WHICH WILL RESULT IN A MAINTENANCE OF SO-CALLED OUTER WALL SANCTIONS: ///BURNS ACTUALITY///THOSE ARE IMPORTANT SANCTIONS THE UNITED STATES WILL MAINTAIN BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS IN (THE) KOSOVO (REGION) AND BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OF WAR CRIMES AND OTHER ISSUES. ///END ACTUALITY///THOSE SANCTIONS LIMIT BELGRADE'S ABILITY TO TAKE PART IN
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS INCLUDING ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS. (SIGNED).
[12] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/01/96TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09807 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES CONTENT= INTRO: THE HASTILY-ARRANGED MIDEAST SUMMIT AT THE WHITE HOUSE IS PROVOKING A GOOD DEAL OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY, ALONG WITH A VARIETY OF OTHER SUBJECTS. THEY INCLUDE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 104TH CONGRESS; POVERTY AND THE NEW U-S WELFARE LAW; ALLEGATIONS OF CIA DRUG RUNNING, AND JUSTICE FOR SOME FORMER SOUTH VIETNAMESE ALLIES OF THE U-S. FOR DETAILS, HERE IS __________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: MANY MAJOR DAILIES ARE LEADING THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS WITH COMMENT ON THE MIDEAST SUMMIT TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON BETWEEN ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT AND PRESIDENT CLINTON. THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS TAKES THE CAUTIOUS APPROACH, SAYING "DON'T EXPECT A MIRACLE". VOICE: "PEACE WILL COME WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE THERE WANT IT, AND IT'S NONE TOO CLEAR THAT YASSER ARAFAT WANTS IT. THE PALESTINIAN CHIEF'S ACTIONS AS LATE AS YESTERDAY HAVE REINFORCED DEEP DOUBTS ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO PEACE... IN THE END, [MR.] ARAFAT CAME TO WASHINGTON BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REALLY OFFEND PRESIDENT CLINTON BY REFUSING. BUT HIS RELUCTANCE SUGGESTS THAT HE IS FAR FROM READY TO ENGAGE IN THE HARD BARGAINING THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RE-START THE PEACE PROCESS..." TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD TAKES A DIFFERENT VIEW, BLUNTLY CRITICIZING PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU, WHILE BLAMING BOTH SIDES FOR THE RECENT VIOLENCE. VOICE: "IF THERE IS ANYTHING ... ISRAEL CANNOT AFFORD, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLY INEPT LEADERSHIP ON MATTERS THAT MIGHT NEEDLESSLY TRIGGER ARMED CONFLICT. SOME 73 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 14 ISRAELI SOLDIERS, ARE DEAD -- AND THE PEACE PROCESS IS MORIBUND -- BECAUSE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SHOWED SUCH UNAFFORDABLE INEPTITUDE BY ORDERING THE WESTERN WALL TUNNEL OPENED WITHOUT WARNING LAST WEEK." TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS "[MR.] NETANYAHU MUST END THE STANDOFF IN ISRAEL AND WORK WITH OTHERS TO RESTORE A WORKING PEACE," ADDING: VOICE: "THIS SUMMIT IS A CRUCIAL TEST OF LEADERSHIP FOR MR. NETANYAHU; LET US HOPE HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS... THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER MUST SHOW CREATIVITY, VISION AND A GENUINE DESIRE FOR PEACE -- QUALITIES SO FAR NOT MUCH IN EVIDENCE DURING HIS FIRST HUNDRED DAYS IN OFFICE." TEXT: AND IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION OFFERS THIS ASSESSMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ROLE IN SEEKING TO RESTORE THE PEACE PROCESS. VOICE: "THIS BLOWUP, IN THE MIDST OF THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, PUTS PRESIDENT CLINTON ON THE SPOT. HE HAS RESISTED PLACING BLAME, UNWILLING TO RISK RUFFLING [ANGERING] U-S CONSTITUENCIES WHILE HE SITS ON A COMFORTABLE LEAD IN THE POLLS... NOT CONDEMNING EITHER SIDE HAS ALLOWED [MR.] CLINTON TO BROKER THIS SUMMIT BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS. BUT NOW THE SUMMIT REQUIRES A PRESIDENT WILLING TO ABANDON POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY, MAKE CANDID MORAL JUDGMENTS OF RECENT ISRAELI ACTIONS AND LEAD BOTH SIDES TOWARD PEACE." TEXT: A FINAL THOUGHT ON THE SUMMIT FROM CALIFORNIA, WHERE THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUMS UP ITS EXPECTATIONS THIS WAY: VOICE: "NOTHING IS EVER REALLY OVER IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND EVEN IF THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FAILS TO RESTART SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS, THE LAST CHAPTER IN THIS DRAMA WILL NOT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN. BUT FAILURE WOULD VIRTUALLY GUARANTEE THE CONTINUATION OF MILITANT CONFRONTATIONS AND WITH THEM A DEEPENING OF THE MOST UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDES. WASHINGTON UNDERSTANDS HOW HIGH THE STAKES ARE. IN A FEW DAYS THE WORLD WILL KNOW WHETHER [MR.] ARAFAT, [MR.] NETANYAHU AND THEIR FOLLOWERS DO, AS WELL." TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, SEVERAL U-S DAILIES NOTE THE PASSING INTO HISTORY OF THE 104TH CONGRESS, WHICH ADJOURNED MONDAY. IN NEBRASKA, THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD SAYS "GAINS BY [THE] GOP-LED CONGRESS FACE [A] SERIOUS TEST IN [THE COMING] ELECTION, ADDING: VOICE: "THE 104TH CONGRESS CARVED A HISTORICAL NICHE FOR ITSELF. BUT ITS MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS CAME IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ITS TWO-YEAR LIFE. AND ITS POTENTIAL LONG-TERM IMPACT IS IN SERIOUS DOUBT. IT WAS THE FIRST REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS IN 40 YEARS. IT HAS CALLED INTO QUESTION -- AND IN SOME CASES REVERSED -- GOVERNING PHILOSOPHIES THAT HAD BEEN STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SINCE THE NEW DEAL." TEXT: WHILE IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN HAS THIS APPRAISAL. VOICE: "IN THE END, THE 104TH CONGRESS WOUND UP WHERE MOST AMERICANS WOULD WANT IT TO BE. NEITHER ULTRA-CONSERVATIVES NOR ULTRA-LIBERALS GOT THEIR WAY... THE RESULT WAS A LIST OF LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WOULD BE A CREDIT TO ANY CONGRESS." TEXT: HOWEVER ,THE WASHINGTON POST DOESN'T SEE IT THAT WAY. VOICE: "[OPT] THE REPUBLICANS WHO CONTROLLED IT HAD AN UNUSUAL CHANCE TO MAKE SOME MAJOR CHANGES IN NATIONAL POLICY, SOME FOR THE BETTER. THEY SQUANDERED IT, IN PART, BECAUSE -- IN THE HOUSE PARTICULARLY -- THEIR LEADERS OVERREACHED. [END OPT] ... THE 104TH CAME TO TOWN SAYING IT WOULD DO A LOT. IT DID A LITTLE." TEXT: WITH REGARD TO ONE THING CONGRESS DID DO, REFORMING THE WELFARE SYSTEM, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE WORRIES HOW IT WILL AFFECT AMERICANS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. VOICE: "WHETHER THE END RESULT WILL QUALIFY AS PROGRESS, BY ANYONE'S DEFINITION, IS VERY MUCH IN DOUBT. AS OF TODAY, THE CORE WELFARE PROGRAM, AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN (AFDC), IS DEFUNCT. ... WHILE MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS SAY THE FEDERAL LAW WILL GIVE THE STATE A 114-MILLION-DOLLAR WINDFALL THIS YEAR, IT ALSO MANDATES LONG-TERM CUTS WITH NO ADEQUATE SAFETY VALVE IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN... UNLIKE WELFARE, POVERTY CAN'T BE ENDED WITH A NAME CHANGE." TEXT: THERE IS MORE EDITORIAL REACTION TO REPORTS THAT THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAD A ROLE IN SELLING CRACK COCAINE IN BLACK GHETTOS ACROSS THE U-S TO FINANCE CIVIL WAR IN NICARAGUA. TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS THIS: VOICE: "THE DAYS WHEN THE 'CONTRAS', AMERICAN-BACKED GUERRILLAS FIGHTING NICARAGUA'S SANDINISTAS, WERE FREQUENT PAGE ONE NEWS ARE LONG DEPARTED. BUT IF AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE SAN JOSE (CALIFORNIA) MERCURY NEWS IS RIGHT, U-S SUPPORT FOR THE CONTRAS HAS LEFT A LASTING MARK ON INNER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES... THE TRAIN OF EVENTS SUGGESTS AN ALARMING LAPSE OF ETHICS ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT OPERATIVES BENT ON HELPING THE CONTRAS AT ALMOST ANY COST. THAT POSSIBILITY HAS TO BE EXPLORED AND THE FINDINGS MADE PUBLIC." TEXT: FROM FLORIDA, THIS PRAISE FROM THE MIAMI HERALD FOR JUSTICE ACHIEVED FOR SOME LOYAL SOUTH VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS WHO FOUGHT FOR THE UNITED STATES AND WERE THEN IGNORED. VOICE: "FOR TOO LONG, HUNDREDS OF SOUTH VIETNAMESE VETERANS WERE VICTIMS OF OUTRAGEOUS U-S MISTREATMENT AND NEGLECT. THEY BECAME THE VIETNAM WAR'S UNKNOWN SOLDIERS, ALLIES WHOSE EXISTENCE THE UNITED STATES WAS TOO EMBARRASSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THEY WERE BANISHED TO NORTH VIETNAMESE JAILS, UNMARKED JUNGLE GRAVES, AND WASHINGTON'S ... CLASSIFIED FILES. BECAUSE OF MIAMI LAWYER JOHN MATTES, WHO TOOK UP THEIR CAUSE, SOME 300 OF THOSE COMMANDOS WHO SURVIVED HAVE EMERGED FROM THE SHADOWS AND GOTTEN JUSTICE... LAST WEEK ... PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED INTO A LAW A SPENDING BILL THAT RECOGNIZES THE COMMANDOS EXISTENCE AND THEIR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES. IT APPROPRIATED 20-MILLION DOLLARS IN BACK PAY DUE THE MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES." TEXT: AND LASTLY, COMMENT ABOUT THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES STAR SECOND BASEMAN, ROBERTO ALOMAR, EMBROILED IN CONTROVERSY, WHO WAS GIVEN A DELAYED SUSPENSION AFTER HE SPIT IN THE FACE OF AN UMPIRE WHO CALLED A THIRD STRIKE AGAINST HIM. AMERICAN LEAGUE UMPIRES ARE THREATENING TO STRIKE UNLESS THE SUSPENSION IS MADE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, AS THE ORIOLES BEGIN COMPETITON IN THE PLAYOFFS. TODAY'S WASHINGTON TIMES COMMENTS: VOICE: "THAT MR. ALOMAR NOW OCCUPIES CENTER STAGE IN TODAY'S FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF GAME AT ORIOLES PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS IS A DISGRACE... IF THERE WERE ANY JUSTICE IN BASEBALL -- TO SAY NOTHING OF A MODICUM OF DECENCY AMONG THE PLAYERS' UNION, THE OWNERS AND THE GREEN-EYESHADE CROWD [ACCOUNTANTS] THAT OSTENSIBLY ENFORCES THE GAME'S RULES -- MR. ALOMAR WOULDN'T BE TROTTING AROUND THE BASES SATURDAY NIGHT. HE'D BE PACKING HIS BAGS AND HEADING HOME TO WATCH THE PLAYOFFS AND WORLD SERIES ON TELEVISION." TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS
FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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